PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Benedict Johansson (ranked 3738 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chitavake Cheetah (ranked 2383 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys are coming into the fight with injuries so let's see if that has a bearing on the fight. Benedict Johansson has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Johansson
vs
Cheetah

188 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

167 cm
26
157 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Benedict Johansson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chitavake Cheetah!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Joseph Jones and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johansson shoots in but Cheetah avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Cheetah is looking for the big counter here.

Cheetah takes the fight into the clinch.
Cheetah prevents the takedown attempt.
Johansson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Cheetah is keeping busy.
Johansson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Cheetah pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benedict Johansson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cheetah tries to keep at a distance but Johansson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Johansson is trying to break the clinch but Cheetah is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cheetah's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Johansson throws a body punch but Cheetah moves out of range.
Johansson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Cheetah shoots in for a takedown but Johansson shows good takedown defense.
Johansson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Cheetah has closed the distance and engaged Johansson in a clinch.
Cheetah keeps control of Johansson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Johansson tries to score a body lock takedown but Cheetah shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Cheetah gets control of Johansson's arms and successfully pulls guard. Cheetah will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Johansson wants to control from the top but Cheetah keeps moving.
Johansson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Cheetah is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johansson passes Cheetah's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johansson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cheetah does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Johansson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Cheetah is not content to let Johansson control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cheetah keeping control of the position.
Johansson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Johansson is trying to control the action in half guard but Cheetah is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Cheetah tries to roll over but Johansson keeps him under control.
Johansson wants to control but Cheetah is keeping him busy.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Cheetah closes the distance and clinches.

Johansson gets control of Cheetah's arms and successfully pulls guard. Johansson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Cheetah must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Johansson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cheetah.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Johansson being controlled here, momentarily.
Johansson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Johansson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cheetah defends it easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Johansson looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chitavake Cheetah dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cheetah has closed the distance and engaged Johansson in a clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Cheetah escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cheetah has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
No joy there for Cheetah, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Johansson misses with a head kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cheetah is pressed up against the cage. Johansson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Cheetah down to the mat. Cheetah avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johansson shoots for a takedown but Cheetah saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cheetah lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Cheetah swats away the attempt to clinch by Johansson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johansson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Cheetah shoots in but no luck this time.
Johansson tries to clinch
and Cheetah counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Johansson stalks Cheetah and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Cheetah's face. Cheetah staggers backwards, shaken.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johansson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Johansson wants to clinch.
Johansson shoots in but Cheetah avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benedict Johansson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Johansson or perhaps it was just good defense by Cheetah, which made it look bad.
Johansson shoots in but no luck this time.

Cheetah moves into range and clinches up with Johansson.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cheetah avoiding damage.
Johansson jumps guard but Cheetah stands there with Johansson around his waist. Johansson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Cheetah escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Cheetah closes the distance and clinches.

Cheetah breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johansson darts in looking for a takedown but Cheetah gets double underhooks and turns Johansson into the cage.
Johansson leaves Cheetah with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Johansson stuffs the takedown attempt from Cheetah. Cheetah gets slowly back to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johansson.
Cheetah lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cheetah fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cheetah fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Johansson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cheetah is fending him off so far but Johansson persists. Nope, Cheetah circles away and we're back to standing.
Cheetah has a takedown stuffed.
Johansson is looking for a counter combo.
Johansson looks for a takedown but Cheetah sprawls well.

Cheetah moves into the clinch successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Cheetah jumps into guard, dragging Johansson to the mat.
Cheetah has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Johansson has passed into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chitavake Cheetah showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Johansson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Cheetah will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Johansson is looking to counter the offense by Cheetah and move into the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Johansson.
Johansson misses with a wild combination.
Johansson throws a head kick but Cheetah moves out of range.
Johansson shoots in for a double leg but Cheetah sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cheetah shoots in looking for a takedown but Johansson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cheetah's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cheetah circles away from the clinch attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Johansson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benedict Johansson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cheetah dives in for a single leg takedown but Johansson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Johansson seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johansson misses with a takedown attempt - Cheetah sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cheetah tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Johansson swivels and escapes.
Cheetah slips under a jab from Johansson.
Cheetah shoots in looking for a takedown but Johansson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cheetah's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Johansson shoots for a double leg takedown but Cheetah sprawls well. He's pushed Johansson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cheetah lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cheetah stuffs the takedown.
A combination from Cheetah does no damage.
Johansson scores with a three punch combo!
Cheetah throws a right hand that Johansson ducks under and follows up with a left that Johansson also avoids with ease.
Johansson attempts a counter takedown but Cheetah avoids it well and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by Johansson.
Johansson takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Chitavake Cheetah seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johansson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cheetah pinned against the cage. Cheetah gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cheetah is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Johansson tries for a takedown but Cheetah sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Johansson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cheetah.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Cheetah leaves Johansson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Cheetah closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johansson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cheetahs head.
Cheetah connects with a knee to the head.
Johansson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cheetah fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Cheetah tries to land knees in the clinch but Johansson avoids the damage to the body.
Johansson tries to pull guard but Cheetah won't allow it.

Cheetah escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Johansson with a lazy takedown attempt

and Cheetah counters by moving into the clinch.

Cheetah's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cheetah throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Johansson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cheetah fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Johansson fails with a takedown attempt.
Johansson misses with a head kick.
Cheetah fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Johansson.
Benedict Johansson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cheetah slaps away a takedown attempt from Johansson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Benedict Johansson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chitavake Cheetah is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Cheetah fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Johansson avoids it really well and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chitavake Cheetah comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cheetah winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chitavake Cheetah!